YMCA Youth & Family Services (YFS) is the community-based, comprehensive social services branch of the YMCA Metropolitan Washington. YFS provides school and community-based prevention and early intervention services to at-risk and under-served youth and families throughout Montgomery County. YFS programs address basic social-service needs, teach fundamental life skills and assist participants in making healthy choices.
Programs offered by YMCA Youth & Family Services are primarily funded through Montgomery County DHHS.
Youth Development
- Benchmarks – Homework assistance, enrichment activities, life skills development
- HOME – community activities including sports mentoring, family fun trips, youth leadership groups
- Carroll Avenue Quebec Terrace Community Center (CAQT) – community center for K-8th graders
Mentoring
- YouthLinks & Inspiring Futures – mentoring for youth 5-15 in foster/kinship care or at risk of out-of-home placement
Intervention & Prevention
- Interagency Family Preservation Services (IFPS) – intensive in-home case management for families to preserve the family unit
- Family Strengthening Intervention and Prevention Pilot – youth mentoring, parenting mentoring, mental health resources, community connections, natural supports, professional support for families impacted by violence
- School and Community-based Youth Services (SCYS)/Bridges To Wellness (BTW) – School-based mental health and wellness promotion, prevention and intervention services
- Linkages to Learning (LTL) – family case management services, community education, community development, and child and family behavioral and mental health services
YFS Strengthens Community through it’s programs, with services providing:
- Mental & Behavioral Health Services
- Case Management
- Connection to Community Resources
- Mentoring
- Educational Enrichment
- Intervention Services